I want to add a question to this: Dutch and I and several others at our DZ fly Dolphins, which are a hybrid-type Javelin- is the bridle less exposed in a Dolphin? (I am just beginning to sit-fly, and have never seen that many freeflyers/sitflyers in the air, nor examined a Javelin for Dolphin similarities) Brokeneagle.

A good freefly rig would be a rig with tuc-tab riser covers not velcro (velcro is bad for freeflying), zero bridal exposed, a BOC with preferably a F-111 PC (this is good because it won't slip out of the pouch as easily as a Zero P PC), a tight closing loop, tight leg and chest straps, and expecially secure main and reserve pin covers. Someone add on if I have forgotten anything. There is nothing wrong with Javelins as long as it is up to date. Make sure it is safe according to the standards of your rigger. Personally I jump a Vector 3.

I saw a really cool mod for free flying this weekend. The guy had a small pillow where the hackey usually is. The pillow stuck out and had tuck tabs that covered the entrance to the BOC pocket. Pretty interesting looking and something I may incorporate in the future.

"The cab driver said... he recognized my girly by the back of her head" -Beasty Boys Clay

I saw a really cool mod for free flying this weekend. The guy had a small pillow where the hackey usually is. The pillow stuck out and had tuck tabs that covered the entrance to the BOC pocket. Pretty interesting looking and something I may incorporate in the future.

Clay, the container was probably a Mirage or a Wings. They both have the option of having a "freefly" handle now. The handle attaches just as you said. It is not a true pull-out as the handle is still connected to the apex of the pilot chute.

Bill Hallett of Mirage Systems was demoing their new freefly handle at the Freaks Flock Together boogie at Skydive Dallas a few months ago. You can pick up the entire rig by the handle but give a little twist and it comes right out. I ordered it on my new Mirage UNISYN.

Kris Less than two weeks to wait until I have my new Mirage and Heatwave...

Bill Hallett of Mirage Systems was demoing their new freefly handle at the Freaks Flock Together boogie at Skydive Dallas a few months ago. You can pick up the entire rig by the handle but give a little twist and it comes right out. I ordered it on my new Mirage UNISYN.

The freefly handle is really a sweet setup.. Bill was showing it to me today.. Just be sure you don't let anybody jump your rig without first showing them how it works.....it could result in a reserve ride if they try to pull it out incorrectly and think it's a hard pull..

The freefly handle is really a sweet setup.. Bill was showing it to me today.. Just be sure you don't let anybody jump your rig without first showing them how it works.....it could result in a reserve ride if they try to pull it out incorrectly and think it's a hard pull..

Yup, that would definitely ruin someone's day! As it is, I will be doing a *LOT* of practice pulls on the ground before I go up with my new toy. I want the pull to be pure reflexive muscle memory before I try it for real in the air...

I used to jump an older model javelin that belong to my college club. It's had many mods added by a profesional rigger as a result of some of my dives. I think I am several inches shorter due to 2 premature openings in a stand. Thank God there were no collisions on either jump. It's a simple rule: Exposed pieces and parts are a BAD thing. Avoid jumping in rigs that aren't safe for FFing otherwise you're taking a risk that's going to eventually do some damage if not kill you.

Maybe I'm confused, but I jump demo Javelin's from Square3. And there is zero exposed bridle. There's a narrow pocket that runs down from the top closing flap to the BOC that you tuck the bridle into. All flaps use tuck tabs, only velcro is a small piece above the pin where you attach the bridle to the top flap for extra security. And there's maybe an inch of exposed riser at the most. Seems like it's as safe as you can get for freeflying.

THats because that pocket on the closinf flap was added after Fall '99. Before then there was less protection and bridle was exposed. The other problem is if the closing loop is not tight enough the main flap will open fairly easly. This means the the bridle and pin are totaly exposed to the air and can open at any time. The Tuck tabs on a Javelin came about in the later '98/ Early 99 modles from what I've seen. Before then it was velcro.

I'm not gonna get into Javelin bashing (allthough dominant player in any industry should get its share), BUT...

In reply to:

The Tuck tabs on a Javelin came about in the later '98/ Early 99

I'm really not sure about that Phree... ... My wife had a '94 with tuck tabs, and even before that I cant remember seeing ANY javelins with velcro riser covers...... but if there is one rig that I've seen that has a tendency to have its riser covers opened while wearing it, it is the Jav....

And for God's sake!!!! Stop treating sit/head down as the ultimate gear testing dicipline!!!! Try launching a linked 15 way (or more...) or diving last out of a DC3 (or even a caravan....) I'm not saying its worse, but it sure ass heck aint any more forgiving to poorly maintained/designed rigs....

I thought it was a late model mod for the Riser tuck tabs since one of the jumpers at the DZ had that mod done to his 96 mod in early 98. Your probally right about being around in 94/95. I've seen a few of the jearly Javelins with Velcro still floating around the DZ. Most of them are the early 90's rigs owned by the POP's and SOS guys. And I think the worst possible thing that you can do to your gear is be front float on something like a DC3 with its propblast! Divers on big ways easely exceed the speeds most freeflyers play at on a regular basis. There is nothing wrong with velcro as long as it is maintained properly. I'm with you on that one Remi!

And did someone say properly maintained velcro is safe for everyday freeflying??? Either you left out "not" right before safe, or maybe you need to share some of whatever it is you're smokin. It's just not reliable enough...or am I smokin something?